Preparation of esters

ABSTRACT

Esters of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group and Ar is an optionally substituted aromatic group are prepared from the corresponding aromatic aldehyde, the corresponding hydrocarbyl acid anhydride in the presence of water, and a water-soluble cyanide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention--This invention relates to a process for the preparation of cyano-substituted carboxylic acid esters by reacting an acid anhydride, an aromatic aldehyde and a water-soluble cyanide.

Description of the Prior Art--A valuable group of esters consists of pesticides of the pyrethrin type, particularly those α-cyano esters as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,835,176, 3,996,244 and 4,024,163. These so-called "synthetic pyrethroids" have exceptionally good insecticidal and acaricidal properties while possessing a very low mammalian toxicity. This combination of properties makes these α-cyano esters of considerable interest to the agrochemical industry and much effort has ben devoted to finding economic routes to these "synthetic pyrethroids".

Belgian Pat. No. 851,900 discloses the preparation of cyano-substituted esters from an acid halide, an aldehyde and a water-soluble cyanide.

The process of the present invention based upon the use of an acid anhydride affords the α-cyano esters in a very high yield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of an ester of formula I ##STR2## wherein R represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group and A an optionally substituted aromatic group, which comprises the reaction of an aromatic aldehyde of the formula II ##STR3## wherein Ar has the same meaning as in formula I, with an acid anhydride of formula III ##STR4## wherein R has the same meaning as in formula I, in the presence of water and a water-soluble cyanide.

The process according to the present invention is preferably carried out in the presence of a substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent. A "substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent" is defined as an aprotic solvent in which the solubility of water is not more than 5%v, at the reaction temperature adopted.

Examples of very suitable substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvents are alkanes or cycloalkanes, particular examples being n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, n-decane and their isomers (for example, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, 2-methylhexane, 3-methylhexane and 2,4,4-trimethylpentane) and cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane.

Other very suitable substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvents are aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons, for example, benzene, toluene, o-, m- and p-xylene, the trimethylbenzenes, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, mono-chlorobenzene and 1,2-and 1,3-dichdlorobenzene. Very good results have been obtained with toluene.

Other examples of substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvents are dialkyl ethers and substantially water-immiscible alkanones, for example, diisopropyl ether and diisobutyl ketone.

Mixtures of solvents, for example of alkanes, cycloalkanes and/or aromtic hydrocarbons may be employed, such mixtures of n-heptane and toluene or of n-heptane and one or more xylenes. Gasolines rich in alkanes are very suitable, for example, those with a boiling range at atmospheric pressure between 40° C. and 65° C. or 80° C. and 110° C. and particularly between 60° C. and 80° C. Mixtures of xylenes are also very suitable.

The esters of formula I may be prepared in the presence or absence of a phase-transfer catalyst. The phase-transfer catalyst may be any reagent which is capable of accelerating interphase reactions in aqueous/organic two-phase systems.

The phase-transfer catalyst may be an onium compound, particularly (1) a quaternary onium compound of formula IV ##STR5## wherein X represents a nitrogen, phosphorous or arsenic atom and each of the groups R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ represents a monovalent ion.

Preferably, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ each independently is an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or alkaryl group of 7 to 10 carbon atoms or an aryl group of 6 to 12 carbon atoms; or (2) a sulfonium compound of the formula V ##STR6## wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each indvidually represents an alkyl group and Y a monovalent ion. Preferably, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each independently is an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

In formulas IV and V above, Y can be hydroxide, halide, (alkyl)sulfate, (alkyl)sulfonate, tetrafluoroborate, phosphate, nitrate or alkyl- or aryl-carboxylate. For example, Y can be chloride, bromide, iodide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, tosylate, acetate, formate, citrate, tartrate, benzoate or the like.

Examples of suitable onium compounds are tetra-n-butylammonium bromide, tetra-n-butylammonium chloride, methyltri-2-methylphenylammonium chloride, tetramethylphosphonium iodide, tetra-n-butylphosphonium bromide, methyltriphenylarsonium iodide, ethyl-2-methylpentadecyl-2-methylundecylsulfonium ethylsulfate, methyldinonylsulfonium methylsulfate and n-hexadecyldinonylsulfonium methylsulfate, methyltrioctylammonium chloride and n-hexadecyldimethylsulfonium iodide. Further suitable onium compounds are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,917,667, 4,008,287 and 4,012,430. Very good results have been obtained with quaternary ammonium compounds.

The onium compound may be a hydroxide or salt and is used as the functional portion of a strongly basic anion exchange resin having a structural portion (polymer matrix) and a functional portion (ion-active group). Of special importance are polystyrene resins, such as copolymers of aromatic monovinyl compounds and aromatic polyvinyl compounds, particularly styrene/divinylbenzene copolymers. The functional portion is a quaternary ammonium, phosphonium or arsonium group. Examples of strongly basic anion exchange resins which may be employed are those derived from trimethylamine (such as the products known under the trade names of "Amberlite IRA-400", "Amberlite IRA-401", "Amberlite IRA-402", "Amberlite IRA-900", "Duolite A-101-D", "Duolite ES-111", "Dowex 1", "Dowex 11", "Dowex 21K" and "Ionac A-450" (all ten trade names are trademarks) and those derived from dimethylethanolamine (such as the products known under the trade names of "Amberlite IRA-410", "Amberlite IRA-911", "Dowex 2", "Duolite A-102-D", ∓Ionac A-542" and "Ionax A-550" (all six trade names are trademarks). Very good results have been obtained with those derived from trimethylamine. When these catalysts are available in a neutralized form, for instance in the chloride form, they must be activated to the hydroxyl form by treatment with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide, for example sodium hydroxide, and washed with water to remove salt anions before use.

More particularly, one preferred subclass of catalysts of formula II are those in which R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ each independently is an alkyl group of 1 to about 8 carbon atoms such as methyl-trioctylammonium chloride, tributylammonium bromide, tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide, bromide or chloride, methyl-tri-2-methylheptylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium bromide, tetrabutylphosphonium bromide or tetraethylammonium bromide. Other suitable catalysts of this type are known under the trade names "Hyamine 1663", "Hyamine 2389", "Hyamine 3500", "Aliquat 336" and "Adogen 464" (all five trade names are trademarks).

Another preferred subclass of catalysts of formula II are those containing one or more phenyl or benzyl groups as R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ such as benzyltriethylammonium chloride or ethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide or the like.

Examples of catalysts of formula III are triethylsulfonium iodide di-sec-decyldimethylsulfonium methyl sulfate, sec-dodecyl-sec-hexadecylethylsulfonium ethyl sulfate, sec-hexadecyldimethylsulfonium iodide, sec-hexadecylmethylethylsulfonium tosylate, sec-hexadecyldimethylsulfonium tosylate, trimethylsulfonium bromide and di-n-butylmethylsulfonium iodide. Preferred catalysts of formula III are those in which R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each independently is an alkyl group of 3 to 16 carbon atoms. The preparation of catalysts of formula III is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,667.

Other suitable phase transfer catalysts are macrocyclic polyethers known as "crown ethers". These compounds, together with their preparation, are described in the literature, for example in Tetrahedron Letters No. 18(1972) pp. 1793-1796, and are commonly designated by reference to the total number of atoms forming the macrocyclic ring together with the number of oxygen atoms in that ring. Thus the macrocyclic polyether whose formal chemical name is 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane is designated as "18-crown-6". Other examples of suitable macrocyclic polyethers are 3,4-benzo-1,6,9,12,15,18,21-heptaoxacyclotricos-3-ene and 3,4-benzo-1,6,9,12,-tetraoxacyclotetradec-3-ene. 18-Crown-6 is particularly suitable. Further suitable macrocyclic polyethers and their preparation are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,562,295, British Pat. No. 1,108,921 and Netherlands publication 7602,604.

Thus, useful macrocyclic polyethers can have from 15 to 30 ring atoms in the polyether ring and consist of from 5 to 10 -O-X- units wherein X for a particular compound is either ##STR7## in which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are radicals independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms with the proviso that when the -O-X- units comprise ##STR8## one of X can be (b). For example: 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane,

1,4,7,10,13pentaoxacyclopentadecane,

1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptaoxacycloheneicosane,

1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octacyclotetracosane, and

1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,27-decaoxacyhclotricontane

Other useful macrocyclic polyethers can contain 4 to 80 atoms, preferably 14-28 are ring atoms of which at least 4 and preferably 5 to 8 are oxygen atoms. Up to 10 carbon atoms can be present between one or more pairs of oxygen atoms with at least 1 aromatic nucleus attached to the polyether ring by means of vicinal carbon atoms of the aromatic nucleus. The aromatic nucleus may be optionally substituted by halogen, alkyl, cyano, amino, nitro, hydroxy and carboxy radicals.

For example:

2,3-benzo-1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododeca-2-ene,

2,3,8,9-dibenzo-1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododeca-2,8-diene,

2,3,9,10-dibenzo-1,4,8,11-tetraoxacyclotetradeca-2,9-diene,

2,3,9,10-bis(t-butylbenzo)-1,4,8,11-tetraoxacyclotetradeca-2,9-diene,

2,3,8,9-dibenzo-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadeca-2,8-diene,

2,3,9,10-dibenzo-1,4,8,11,14-pentaoxacyclohexadeca-2,9-diene,

2,3,11,12-dibenzo-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacycloocatadeca-2,11-diene,

2,3,8,9-dibenzo-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadeca-2,8,diene,

2,3,11,12-dibenzo-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadeca-2,11-diene,

2,3,11,12-bis(t-butylbenzo)-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadeca-2,11-diene,

2,3, 11,12-bis(2',3'-naphtho)-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacycloocta-2,11-diene,

2,3,12,13-dibenzo-1,4,11,14-tetraoxacycloeicosa-2,12-diene,

2,3,11,12-dibenzo-1,4,7,10,13,19-hexacyclodocosa-2,11-diene,

2,3,14,15-dibenzo-1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octaoxacyclotetracosa-2,14-diene,

2,3-benzo-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadeca-2-ene,

2,3,8,9,14,15-tribenzo-1,4,7,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadeca-2,8,14-triene,

2,3,9,10-dibenzo-1,4,8,11,14,17-hexaoxacyclononadeca-2,9-diene,

2,3,8,9,14,15-tribenzo-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclononadeca-2,8,14-triene,

2,3,11,12-dibenzo-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptaoxacyclohenicosa-2,8,14-triene,

2,3,8,9,14,15-tribenzo-1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octaoxacyclotetracosa-2,8,14-triene,

2,3,8,9,14,15,20,21-tetrabenzo-1,4,7,13,16,19,22-octaoxacyclotetracosa-2,8,14-triene,

2,3,15,16-dibenzo-1,4,9,14,17,22-hexaoxacyclohexacosa-2,15-diene,

2,3-(t-butylbenzo)-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadeca-2-ene,

2,3-benzo-1,4,7,10-13-pentaoxacyclopentadeca-2-ene,

2,3-(t-butylbenzo)-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadeca-2-ene, and

2,3,16,17-dibenzo-1,4,15,18-tetraoxacyclooctacosa-2,16-diene.

Other suitable macrocyclic polyethers have the formulas VI, VII and VIII ##STR9## in which formula A and the two carbon atoms attached to A together represent a carbocyclic aromatic or hetero-aromatic group, m, n and p are integers from 2 to 10 inclusive, of at least 2 and of at least 3 respectively.

Examples of macrocyclic polyethers of formulas VI, VII, and VIII include:

3,4-benzo-1,6,9,12,15,18,21-heptaoxacyclotricos-3-ene,

3,4-benzo-1,6,9,12-tetraoxacyclotetradec-3-ene,

3,4,17,18-dibenzo-1,6,9,12,15,20,23,26-octaoxacyclooctacos-3,17-diene,

3,4-benzo-1,6,9-trioxacycloundec-3-ene,

3,4-benzo-1,6,9,12,15-pentaoxacycloheptadec-3-ene,

3,4-benzo-1,6,9,12,15,18-hexaoxacycloeicos-3-ene,

3,4-benzo-1,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-octaoxacyclohexacos-3-ene,

3,4,14,15-dibenzo-1,6,9,12,17,20-hexaoxacyclodocos-3-ene,

3,4,17,18-dibenzo-1,6,9,12,15,20,23,26-octaoxacyclooctacos-3,17-diene,

3,4,20,21-dibenzo-1,6,9,12,15,18,23,26,29,32-decaoxacyclotetratriacont-3,20-diene,

[3,4-c]furo-1,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-octaoxacyclohexacos-3-ene,

[3,4-c]furo-1,6,9,12-tetraoxacyclotetradecane,

[3,4-c]furo-1,6,9,12,15-pentaoxacycloheptadecane,

[3,4-c]furo-1,6,9,12,15,18-hexaoxacycloeicosane,

[3,4-c]furo-1,6,9,12,15,18,21-heptaoxacyclotricosane,

[3,4-c]furo-1,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-octaoxacyclohexacosane,

3,4,14,15-difuro-1,6,9,12,17,20-hexaoxacyclodocosane,

3,4,17,18-difuro-1,6,9,12,15,18,23,26-octaoxacyclooctacosane,

3,4,20,21-difuro-1,6,9,12,15,18,23,26,29,32-decaoxacyclotetratriacontane,

[3,4-c]furo-1,6,9,12-tetraoxacyclotetradec-3-ene,

[3,4-c] [17,18,-c]difuro-1,6,9,12,15,20,23,26-octaoxacyclooctacos-3,17-diene,

[3,4-c]-2¹,5¹ -dimethylthieno-1,6,9,12,15,18-hexaoxacycloeicos-3-ene,

3,4-(4¹,5¹ -methylene-dioxybenzo)-1,6,9,12,15,18-21-heptaoxacyclotricos-3-ene,

3,6-benzo-1,8,11,14-tetraoxacyclohexadec-3,5-diene,

3,6-benzo-1,8,11,14,17,-pentaoxacyclononadec-3,5-diene,

3,6-benzo-1,8,11,14,17,20-hexaoxacyclodocosa-3,5-diene,

3,6-benzo-1,8,11,14,17,20,23-heptaoxacyclopentacosa-3,5-diene,

3,6-benzo-1,8,11,14,17,20,23,26-octaoxacyclooctacosa-3,5-diene, and

3,6-benzo-1,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29-nonaoxacyclohentriaconta-3,5-diene.

Other phase-transfer catalysts are surface-active agents. A "surface-active agent" is defined as in Kirk-Othmer, "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology", second edition, volume 19(1969), page 508: Anorganic compound that encompasses in the same molecule two dissimilar structural groups, one being water-soluble and one being water-insoluble".

The surface-active agent is preferably non-ionoc. Non-ionic synthetic surface-active agents may be broadly defined as compounds aliphatic or alkylaromatic in nature which do not ionize in water solution. For example, a well known class of non-ionic agents is made available on the market under the trade name of "Pluronic." These compounds are formed by condensing ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by condensing ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The hydrophobic portion of the molecule, which of course exhibits water insolubility, has a molecular weight of from about 1,500 to 1,800. The addition of polyoxyethylene radicals to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product.

Other suitable nonionic agents include:

(1) The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenyls having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 12 carbon atoms in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with ethylene oxide, the said ethylene oxide being present in amounts equal to 10 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds may be derived from polymerized propylene, diisobutylene, octene, or nonene, for example;

(2) Those derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with the product resulting form the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. For example, compounds containing from about 40% to about 80% polyoxyethylene by weight and having a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 11,000 resulting from the reaction of ethylene oxide groups with a hydrophobic base constituted of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, said hydrophobic base having a molecular weight of the order of 2,500 to 3,000 are satisfactory;

(3) The condensation product of aliphatic alcohols having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched chain configuration, with ethylene oxide, e.g., a coconut alcohol-ethylene oxide condensate having from 10 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol, the coconut alcohol fraction having from 10 to 14 carbon atoms;

(4) Long chain tertiary amine oxides corresponding to the following general formula, R₁ R₂ R₃ N→O, wherein R₁ is an alkyl radical of from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and R₂ and R₃ are each methyl or ethyl radicals. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation of a semi-polar bond. Examples of amine oxides suitable for use in this invention include dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dimethyloctylamine oxide, dimethyldecylamine oxide, dimethyltetradecylamine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide;

(5) Long chain tertiary phosphine oxides corresponding to the following formula RR'R"P→O, wherein R is an alkyl, alkenyl or monohydroxyalkyl radical ranging from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in chain length and R' and R" are each alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation of a semi-polar bond. Examples of suitable phosphine oxides are:

dimethyldodecylphosphine oxide,

dimethyltetradecylphosphine oxide,

ethylmethyltetradecylphosphine oxide,

cetyldimethylphosphine oxide,

dimethylstearylphosphine oxide,

cetylethylpropylphosphine oxide

diethyldodecylphosphine oxide,

diethyltetradecylphosphine oxide,

bis(hydroxymethyl)dodecylphosphine oxide,

bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylphosphine oxide,

2-hydroxypropylmethyltetradecylphosphine oxide,

dimethyloleylphosphine oxide, and

dimethyl-2-hydroxydodecylphosphine oxide.

(6) Dialkyl sulfoxides corresponding to the following formula, RR'S␣O, wherein R is an alkyl, alkenyl, beta- or gamma-monohydroxyalkyl radical or an alkyl or beta- or gamma-monohydroxyalkyl radical containing one or two other oxygen atoms in the chain, the R groups ranging from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in chain length, and wherein R' is methyl or ethyl. Examples of suitable sulfoxide compounds are:

dodecylmethyl sulfoxide,

tetradecylmethyl sulfoxide,

3-hydroxytridecylmethyl sulfoxide,

2-hydroxydodecylmethyl sulfoxide,

3-hydroxy-4-deoxybutylmethyl sulfoxide,

3-hydroxy-4-dodecoxybutylmethyl sulfoxide,

2-hydroxy-3-decoxypropylmethyl sulfoxide,

2-hydroxy-3-dodecoxypropylmethyl sulfoxide,

dodecylethyl sulfoxide, and

2-hydroxydodecylethyl sulfoxide.

(7) The ammonia, monoethanol and diethanol amides of fatty acids having an acyl moiety of from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms;

(8) A sorbitan monoester with a long chain fatty acid of 8 to 20 carbon atoms; or

(9) An alkylbenzene containing a straight-chain alkyl group. Suitable alkylbenzenes contain an alkyl group of 8 to 20 carbon atoms.

Preferred surface-active agents are poly(alkyleneoxy)derivatives formed by reacting a higher alcohol, alkylphenol or fatty acid with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. Suitable alcohols, alkylphenols or fatty acids contain an alkyl group of from 8 to 20 carbon atoms and the number of alkyleneoxy units is in the range of 1 to 50. It is perferable to use an alcohol ethoxylate such as the ethoxylates derived by ethoxylation of primary or secondary, straight-chain or branched alcohols. A single alcohol may be used e.g., octyl alcohol, decyl alcohol, dodecyl alcohol, but preferably a mixture of alcohols is used. The mixture of alcohols may contain small amounts of alcohols below C₇ and above C₁₃ but at least 90%w, and preferably at least 95%w, of the alcohols thereof are in the C₉ to C₁₃ range. Preferred mixtures of alcohols are those mixtures of C₉ to C₁₁ alcohols such as those prepared by hydroformylation of olefins. The amount of ethylene oxide used to prepare such ethoxylates is suitably such as to provide an average from 1 to 13 moles, and preferably 5 to 9 moles, of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol (or alcohol mixture). Examples of such ethoxylates are "Dobanol₄₅₋₁₁ " formed from a C₁₄ to C₁₅ straight-chain alcohol mixture and containing an average of eleven ethyleneoxy units or preferably "Dobanol₉₁₋₆ " formed from a C₉ to C₁₁ straight-chain alcohol mixture with an average of six ethyleneoxy units (both trade names are registered trademarks).

The molar ratio of the phase-transfer catalyst to the aromatic aldehyde of formula II may vary within wide limits, but is suitably from about 1:5 to about 1:10,000. Low molar ratios will require long reaction times, while high molar ratios will increase the cost involved in producing a given quantity of ester. Thus, the choices of reaction time and molar ratio of catalyst to benzaldehyde are interdependent and will, in any individual instance, be dictated by local economic factors. Very good results are usually obtained at molar ratios of from about 1:10 to 1:500 or even from about 1:10 to about 1:100.

The molar ratio of water-soluble cyanide to aromatic aldehyde is suitably from 1.5:1 to 1.0:1.0 and preferably from 1.3:1 to 1.02:1.00. By "water-soluble cyanide" is meant a water-soluble salt of hydrogen cyanide. Of the water-soluble cyanides, alkali metal cyanides and alkaline-earth-metal cyanides are preferred. Sodium cyanide is particularly preferred because it affords the ester of formula I in the shortest reaction time.

The optionally substituted aromatic group Ar in the aromatic aldehyde of the formula II may be carbocyclic or heterocyclic. Examples of carbocyclic groups are phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl and 2-anthryl groups. Heterocyclic aromatic groups are derived from hetero-aromatic compounds which are defined as in Kirk-Othmer, "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology", Second Edition, Volume 2 (1963), page 702; obtained by replacement of one or more carbon atoms of a carbocyclic aromatic compound by a hetero-atom--for example, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, quinoline and isoquinoline--and also include those heterocyclic compounds having five-membered rings which show aromatic characteristics and are mentioned on page 703 of said volume, for example, thiophene, pyrrole, furan, indole and benzothiophene. As an aromatic group, an optionally substituted phenyl group is very suitable. Examples of substituents are hydrocarbyl and hydrocarbyloxy groups and the like.

The symbol Ar in formula II preferably represents a group of formula IX ##STR10## in which Z represents a phenoxy, a phenylthio or a benzyl group. More particularly, Z represents a phenoxy group, because this substituent generally gives rise to the most active form of the pyrethroid insecticides.

The group R in formula III is defined as an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group. The two groups R may be different (giving rise to the formation of two different esters of formula I) but are preferably the same. The process is particularly useful when the acid anhydride is the anhydride of a pyrethroid acid. The group R may be, for example, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or an aryl group. Very good results have been obtained with alkyl and cycloalkyl groups. The alkyl group may be linear or branched and preferably contains up to 10 carbon atoms. The alkyl groups may have a primary, secondary, tertiary or a quaternary carbon atom bound to a group --C(O)--. Examples of alkanoic anhydrides are acetic anhydride, isobutyric anhydride, 2,2-dimethylpropanoic anhydride, and 2-methylbutanoic anhydride. The alkyl group may carry substituents, such as hydrocarbyloxy or substituted phenyl groups, e.g. a halophenyl group or the like.

For example, R is a substituted alkyl group of the formula X ##STR11## wherein Z represents a halogen atom having an atomic number of from 9 to 35, inclusive, e.g., chlorine, or an alkyl or alkoxy group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, tert-butyl, methoxy or the like, and Q represents an alkyl group of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, especially a branched chain group such as an isopropyl group. Very good results have been obtained with 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoic anhydride.

The cycloalkyl group itself, represented by R, preferably contains 3 to 6 carbon atoms and has an optional substituents one or more groups selected from alkyl, alkenyl or haloalkenyl, each of which suitably contains up to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl and cyclohexyl groups.

For example, R is a substituted cyclopropyl group of formula XI ##STR12## wherein R_(a) and R_(b) each independently represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, especially methyl, or a halogen atom having an atomic number of from 9 to 35, inclusive, especially a chlorine atom, or when R_(a) represents a hydrogen atom then R_(b) represents an alkenyl group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms optionally substituted by from 1 to 3 halogen atoms, especially a chlorine or bromine atom, e.g., R_(b) is isobutenyl, 2,2-dichlorovinyl or dibromovinyl; R_(c) and R_(d) each independently represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or at least one of R_(a) and R_(b) together or R_(c) and R_(d) together represents an alkylene group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, especially 3 carbon atoms.

Very good results have been obtained with optionally substituted cyclopropanecarboxylic anhydrides, particularly with 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydrides. The latter anhydride is novel and can be prepared in a manner known per se, for example, by reacting 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarbonyl chloride with 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid. Another example of an acid anhydride of formula III is 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride. The anhydrides of formula III may have cis or trans structure or may be a mixture of such structures and may be a pure optical isomer or a mixture of optical isomers. Anhydrides having a cis structure are particularly interesting as pesticide intermediates.

The process is of particular interest to prepare pesticidally active esters, for example: when the aromatic aldehyde of formula II is 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde and the acid anhydride of formula III is an aralkyl acid anhydride such as 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoic anhydride, or a substituted-cyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride such as 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride, 2-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride or 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride, because the esters then formed are α-cyano3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoate, α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate and α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, respectively, all of which are pesticidally active compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,835,176, 3,996,244 and 4,024,163.

The process according to the present invention may be conducted starting from unsaturated or saturated aqueous solutions of water-soluble cyanide, in the latter case in the presence or absence of solid water-soluble cyanide. The use of solid water-soluble cyanide has a cost saving effect, since smaller volumes of water can be handled.

The temperature at which the process is conducted is suitably above 0° C., for example, from about 0° C. to about 80° C., and is preferably in the range of from about 15° C. to about 40° C. The process has the advantage that it is suitably carried out at ambient temperatures.

Another advantage of the process according to the present invention is that the molar ratio of the acid anhydride of formula III to the aromatic aldehyde of formula II may be about 1:1 or slightly in excess thereof. The said molar ratio is preferably in the range of from about 1.1:1.0 to about 1.0:1.0.

The process according to the present invention may be carried out by gradual addition of the water-soluble cyanide to a mixture, preferably a stirred mixture, of the other starting compounds. Alternatively, all materials may be combined and the reaction allowed to take place with vigorous stirring of the reaction mixture.

The ester of formula I may be recovered from the reaction mixture obtained by isolating the organic phase from the aqueous phase, extracting the aqueous phase with a hydrocarbon solvent, combining the extract phase with the organic phase, washing the mixture thus obtained with water, drying the washed mixture and evaporating the solvent from the dried mixture. The aqueous raffinate phase contains a (alkali metal) salt of a carboxylic acid of the general formula RC(O)OH, R having the same meaning as in formula III. This carboxylic acid can be isolated by acidifying the aqueous phase and filtering off the resultant precipitated carboxylic acid.

If the acid anhydride of formula III readily hydrolyses, the reaction according to the invention may come to a standstill before the aromatic aldehyde of formula II has been completely converted. This has been observed with acetic anhydride. It was found that at the moment of standstill, the reaction mixture contains free hydrogen cyanide and that the reaction could be re-started by the addition of an alkaline compound, i.e., a compound capable of increasing the pH of the aqueous phase and thus of generating cyanide ions. Examples of alkaline compounds are carbonates and hydroxides of alkali metals, for example, those of sodium and potassium.

Illustrative Embodiments

The present invention is further illustrated by the following Embodiments. In these embodiments, the reaction mixtures were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography to determine the various yields. The solutions were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate. Solvents were flashed off in a film evaporator at the pressure of 15 mm Hg. All ester yields were calculated on starting aldehyde.

Embodiment I--Preparation of alpha-cyanobenzyl acetate

A 100-ml round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer was charged with benzaldehyde (50 mmol), acetic anhydride (50 mmol), heptane (25 ml) and toluene (5 ml). A solution of sodium cyanide (60 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.31 mmol) in water (15 ml) was added to the mixture in the flask at a temperature of 20° C. A vigorous reaction set in, causing a rise in temperature of 40° C. After 20 minutes stirring, the reaction came to a standstill, at a yield of alpha-cyanobenzyl acetate of 23%, calculated on starting benzaldehyde. Then, a solution of potassium carbonate (22 mmol) in water (15 ml) was added and stirring was continued. After one hours stirring, the yield of alpha-cyanobenzyl acetate had increased to 48%.

Embodiment II--Preparation of alpha-cyanobenzyl 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoate

A 100-ml round-bottomed flask was charged with 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoyl chloride (20 mmol), 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoic acid (20 mmol) and toluene (10 ml) and the mixture thus formed was heated under reflux for a period of 16 hours. Then, toluene was evaporated from the mixture obtained leaving a residue consisting of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoic anhydride. The yield of this anhydride was quantitative.

A 100-ml round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer was charged with 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoic anhydride (5 mmol), prepared as described in this embodiment, 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (5 mmol) and a mixture of alkanes (10 ml) having a boiling range of from 60° C. to 80° C. A solution of sodium cyanide (6 mmol) in water (1.5 ml) was added to the mixture in the flask at a temperature of 20° C. and stirring was continued. After 1.5 hours stirring, the reaction had come to a standstill, at 100% conversion of the anhydride and 95% conversion of the aldehyde. The yield of the title ester was 94%. The mixture obtained was allowed to settle into an organic and an aqueous layer, the aqueous layer was extracted with heptane (20 ml), the extract phase obtained was added to the organic layer obtained by settling of the reaction mixture, the organic liquid thus formed was washed with water (10 ml), the washed liquid was dried and the solvent was evaporated from the dried liquid, leaving a residue of which the content of the title ester was 94%. The yield of this ester was 90%.

Embodiment III--Preparation of alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate

A 100-ml round-bottomed flask was charged with 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarbonyl chloride (20 mmol), 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (20 mmol) and toluene (10 ml), and the mixture thus formed was heated under reflux for a period of 24 hours. Then, toluene was evaporated from the mixture obtained at a pressure of 12 mm Hg, leaving a residue consisting of 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride. This anhydride was obtained in quantitative yield.

A 100-ml round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer was charged with 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride (10 mmol), prepared as described above, 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (10 mmol) and a mixture of alkanes (25 ml) having a boiling range of from 60° C. to 80° C. A solution of sodium cyanide (12 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.006 mmol) in water (3 ml) was added to the mixture in the flask at a temperature of 20° C. and stirring was continued. After 100 minutes stirring, the reaction had come to a standstill at a conversion of 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde of 98.5% and at a yield of the title ester of 98%. The mixture obtained was allowed to settle into an organic and an aqueous layer, the aqueous layer was extracted with toluene (15 ml), the extract phase obtained was added to the organic layer obtained by settling of the reaction mixture, the organic liquid thus formed, was washed with water (25 ml), the washed liquid was dried and the solvent was evaporated from the dried liquid, leaving a residue containing the title ester. The yield of this ester was 96%.

Embodiment IV and V--Preparation of alpha-cyanobenzyl isobutyrate

A 100-ml round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer was charged with isobutyric anhydride (10 mmol), benzaldehyde (10 mmol), a mixture of alkanes (25 ml) having a boiling range of from 62° C. to 82° C., sodium cyanide (12 mmol) and water (3 ml). The mixture formed was stirred at a temperature of 25° C. The table presents the yields of the title ester after the reaction times indicated (Embodiment IV).

                  Table                                                            ______________________________________                                                      Yield of title ester,                                             Reaction time,                                                                              %                                                                 min.         Embodiment IV Embodiment V                                        ______________________________________                                         15           74.8          91.0                                                30           91.6          99.1                                                60           98.3          99.7                                                ______________________________________                                    

Embodiment IV was repeated in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.005 mmol). The table presents the yields of the title ester after the reaction times indicated (Embodiment V). Comparison of the yields of Embodiments IV and V shows that the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide enhances the yield of the title ester. 

We claim:
 1. A process for the preparation of an ester of formula I ##STR13## wherein Ar represents a phenyl group substituted at the 3-position by a phenoxy, a phenythio or a benzyl group and ##STR14## represents the residue of a pyrethroid acid anhydride, which process comprises treating an aromatic aldehyde of formula II ##STR15## wherein Ar has the same meaning as in formula I, with an acid anhydride of formula III ##STR16## wherein R has the same meaning as in formula I, in the presence of water and a water-soluble cyanide and a phase transfer catalyst.
 2. A process according to claim 1, conducted in the presence of a substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent.
 3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent is selected from alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, dialkyl ethers, alkanones, or mixtures thereof.
 4. A process according to claim 3 wherein the substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent is an alkane or cycloalkane or a mixture thereof.
 5. A process according to claim 4 wherein the alkane is n-heptane.
 6. A process according to claim 4 wherein the cycloalkane is cyclohexane.
 7. A process according to claim 3 wherein the substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent is an aromatic solvent or a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons.
 8. A process according to claim 7 wherein the aromatic solvent is toluene.
 9. A process according to claim 3 wherein the substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent is a chlorinated hydrocarbon.
 10. A process according to claim 3 wherein the substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent is a dialkyl ether.
 11. A process according to claim 3 wherein the substantially water-immiscible aprotic solvent is a substantially water-immiscible alkanone.
 12. A process according to claim 1 wherein the phase transfer catalyst is a quaternary onium compound of the formula ##STR17## wherein X represents a nitrogen, phosphorous or arsenic atom; R¹, R², and R³ and R⁴ each individually represents an alkyl, aralkyl, alkaryl or aryl group; and Y represents a monovalent ion, or a sulfonium compound of the formula ##STR18## wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each individually represents an alkyl group; and Y is a monovalent ion.
 13. A process according to claim 1 wherein the phase transfer catalyst is a macrocyclic polyether.
 14. A process according to claim 1 wherein the phase transfer catalyst is a non-ionic surface-active agent.
 15. A process according to claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of the amount of phase transfer catalyst to aromatic aldehyde of formula I is from 1:15 to 1:10,000.
 16. A process according to claim 3 wherein the molar ratio of the amount of acid anhydride of formula III to the amount of aromatic aldehyde of formula II is in the ratio of 1:1 or slightly in excess thereof.
 17. A process according to claim 3 conducted at a temperature from about 0° C. to about 80° C.
 18. A process according to claim 3 conducted in the presence of solid water-soluble cyanide.
 19. A process according to claim 3 wherein the water-soluble cyanide is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal cyanide.
 20. A process according to claim 19, wherein the water-soluble cyanide is sodium cyanide.
 21. A process according to claim 1 wherein the aromatic group Ar is phenoxyphenyl.
 22. A process according to claim 1 wherein the acid anhydride is the anhydride of a pyrethroid acid of formula III wherein R is(a) a substituted alkyl group of the formula ##STR19## wherein Z represents a halogen atom having an atomic number of from 9 to 35, inclusive, or an alkyl or alkoxy group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Q represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or (b) is a substituted cyclopropyl group of the formula ##STR20## wherein R_(a) and R_(b) each independently represent an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a halogen atom having an atomic number of from 9 to 35, inclusive, or when R_(a) represents a hydrogen atom then R_(b) represents an alkeynl group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms optionally substituted by from 1 to 3 halogen atoms, R_(c) and R_(d) each independently represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or at least one of R_(a) and R_(b) together or R_(c) and R_(d) together represents an alkylene group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
 23. A process according to claim 22 wherein the acid anhydride is 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoic anhydride.
 24. A process according to claim 22 wherein the acid anhydride is 2,2-dimethylpropanoic anhydride.
 25. A process according to claim 22 wherein the acid anhydride is an optionally substituted cyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride.
 26. A process according to claim 25 wherein the acid anhydride is 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride.
 27. A process according to claim 25 wherein the acid anhydride is 2-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride.
 28. A process according to claim 25 wherein the acid anhydride is 2-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic anhydride.
 29. A process according to claim 1 wherein the stalled reaction is restarted by addition of an alkaline compound selected from alkali metal carbonates and hydroxides in an amount sufficient to increase the pH of the aqueous phase and generate cyanide ions. 